VP of Operations Position Available In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Job Title:

Vice President of Operations Reports to:

President Location:

Onsite- Williamstown, NJ Status:

Full-time/Exempt Shift:

Days, with flexibility based on company needs

Hours:

40, with flexibility based on company needs About the

Company:

The Sclafani family began in the food industry in the late 1800s when Marie Sclafani and her husband came to the United States from Italy with their four sons. Over the years, the family developed the Sclafani® brand into a line of products that included canned tomatoes and vegetables, pasta, olive oil and other Italian specialties. In the 1950s, Dominick Sclafani, a culinary talent, developed a unique fully prepared pizza sauce, which he named Don Pepino®. The sauce became one of the company’s best sellers, and the original recipe is still used to this day. Today, the Sclafani® and Don Pepino® brands are part of the newly formed Violet Foods. These iconic brands are recognized as two of the finest brands of canned tomatoes and sauces in the industry. Their secret is the quality of the fresh tomatoes used to make every recipe.

Role Overview:

The VP of Operations is a key leadership position responsible for overseeing all aspects of plant operations, including production planning, workforce development, safety, quality, and continuous improvement. This individual will be a proactive leader identifying and driving operational excellence. This person will build and manage a high-performing team, optimize systems and processes, and align production with strategic business company objectives. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership capabilities, a commitment to quality, safety, and process improvement. In addition to proven track record of success in lean manufacturing environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and direct daily plant operations and warehouse logistics.
• Oversee safety, quality, and plant productivity to ensure standards are met.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and other operational excellence tools to streamline processes, eliminate waste and control costs.
• Oversee and refine production planning and scheduling to meet customer demand and delivery timelines while optimizing inventory management (raw materials, packaging, and finished goods).
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, quality, regulatory, and environmental standards; drive continuous improvements in plant sanitation and product integrity.
• Recruit, develop, and retain top production talent; foster an engaged and accountable workforce through hands-on leadership, coaching, and professional development.
• Lead, mentor, and hold Shift Managers and production teams accountable through goal setting, performance management, and the implementation of key operational KPIs and OKRs.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with departments such as Procurement, Quality, HR, Maintenance, and Finance to achieve operational and business objectives.
• Drive operational strategy by developing and executing both short-term action plans and long-term capacity planning in alignment with corporate goals.
• Manage capital projects including new equipment installations, production line expansions, and facility upgrades.
• Ensure SOPs are documented, up to date, and embedded into the plant culture through effective training and compliance monitoring.
• Analyze production data and operational performance to identify trends and opportunities for process and cost improvements.
• Implement new systems to improve production and inventory management.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Business, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of leadership experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of 2 years leading Lean or continuous improvement initiatives with measurable results.
• Proven ability to lead plant transformations, improve operational KPIs, and develop high-performing teams.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing technology, food safety protocols (e.g., GMP, HACCP), and industry compliance standards.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills; capable of building trust and alignment across multiple functions.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite and experienced with ERP systems and production management and planning tools.
• Flexible to support plant operations across shifts, weekends, and project-based needs.
• Strong analytical mindset and detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic environment.